Congratulations to the U13 Soccer team who beat Powerstown NS in the County Final on Thursday to become the first team from St. Colmcille’s to win the FAI U13 Tipperary Soccer Tournament. Here is a full report from Paddy Cadell;
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On May 2nd 2012, St. Colmcille’s soccer team which consisted of Eanna McBride, Andrew Ormond, Paddy Cadell, Shane Doyle, Rory Mockler, Stephen Carroll, Kieran Byrne and Michael Fogarty, with their teacher Mr Conor Doyle, travelled to Newhill Park, Two Mile Borris for the annual 5-aside County Primary Schools Soccer Tournament.
In our section we played Clomel Gael Scoil “B” team. We beat them comfortably (15 – 0) in a match which was ten minutes each half. We then played Corville, from Roscrea, and won 2-1 in a very tight competitive game. Our final match of the day saw us playing Sacred Heart, Roscrea “B” team and again we defeated them in a score of 7 – 0. This meant that we won our section and progressed to the following day where the winners of each section competed against each other.
On Thursday, May 3rd, we returned to Two Mile Borris where we were placed in a group with the Clonmel Gael Scoil “A” team and Holycross. We beat Clonmel easily 6 – 2 where Stephen Carroll and Michael Fogarty played well. We then had a very competitive match against Holycross which ended up in a 4 – 4 draw allowing our team to progress to the next stage, which was the semi-finals.
We were drawn against Two Mile Borris. The score at half time was 1 – 1, Paddy Cadell having scored with a fantastic left foot volley. There appeared to be little between the teams, however Eanna McBride showing quick feet scored our second, followed by a third goal from Paddy Cadell. There was a great defensive display by Andrew Ormond, Shane Doyle, Rory Mockler and Kieran Byrne to ensure victory. We progressed to the final to meet Powerstown, Clonmel, who had overcome Sacred Heart, Roscrea “A” team, after extra time in the other semi final.
Having been beaten in last year’s final, we were intent on winning this year. Powerstown seemed to be a much bigger and more physical team. At half time in the final the score was nil all, even though we had much more goal attempts than the opposition. Each half consisted of seven minutes, Powerstown scored in the second minute of the second half, when it appeared that a foul had been committed on one of our players. It did not look as if it was going to be our day and history was going to repeat itself with another defeat in the final. However, the team regrouped and in a great team effort we scored two goals in the last few minutes through a great shot from Eanna McBride and a tap in by Paddy Cadell to ensure victory on a 2 – 1 scoreline.
All of the neutral observers at the match said that the best team won the final. Our captain Stephen Carroll accepted the congratulations from the FAI organisers and each player received an inscribed medal. The jubilant team returned to the school where they received a guard of honour from the other students and congratulations from all the staff of the school. As a result of winning, we will be representing CountyTipperaryin Traleeon May 16th in the Munster Championships.
